Business News

Milano Unica to concentrate on Shanghai

Milano Unica has announced some changes regarding its upcoming Chinese editions. For the upcoming March 2014 edition the show will cease to be held in both Beijing and Shanghai, and will from now on only be held in Shanghai. The dates of the show have also been brought forward.

Silvio Albini, president, Milano Unica, commenting on the upcoming edition of the Shanghai show taking place from 21 - 24 October, 2013, explained: "Since the show is organised in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt through their Intertextile Apparel Fabrics show, the management has decided that focusing on Shanghai is more strategic. This is why Milano Unica will only take place in Shanghai from now on." Referring to the timing of the upcoming editions he commented: "In order to better answer the needs of exhibitors and market insiders, we suggested that the show take place earlier and our request was accepted. Now Milano Unica will take place in this country a few weeks earlier than in the past." The next show will take place in Shanghai from 3 - 5 March 2014.

The upcoming 21-24 October 2013 edition in Shanghai will host 132 top quality, Made in Italy fabric and accessory manufacturers. "We are happy with this result since when we started our Chinese edition we presented 80 exhibitors. This figure has constantly increased, and very few manufacturers stopped participating," comments Albini, before stating that the corresponding, previous edition of the show held in Shanghai in 2012 registered 124 exhibitors. Furthermore, during the last Beijing edition held March 2013 the show registered about 2,300 visitors, +15% compared to the Beijing 2012 edition.

Among various other initiatives that will take place during the upcoming edition of Milano Unica in Shanghai is an exclusive gala dinner which will present a photo exhibition of images shot by Giovanni Gastel, videos of the On Stage fashion show held in September in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and a testimonial by Ying Wang, the celebrated Chinese fashion talent scout.

"The link between Milan and China is very strong," said Albini, while commenting the attendance of the past edition of the show. "Chinese fashion insiders continue appreciating the high-level of quality and creativity our textile industry offers. Despite the slight -2% decrease in Italian fabric export to China in the first six months of 2013 – due to a general global slow-down - and an increased attention to promoting and buying own luxury brands, Chinese fashion insiders continue to appreciate and place orders with Italian fabric manufacturers."

Albini continues: "Italian fabrics began being appreciated in China initially for their top quality, high-end menswear, and now they are also appreciated for other markets and segments. Today what is most important is that Chinese consumers and designers continue to appreciate the quality and traceability of our fabrics which are the deep and sound qualities that make our fabrics appreciated in other countries such as Turkey and Russia. This same quality, research and innovation are the drivers that continue to catch the attention of Italian designers and the reason they buy Italian materials and use them in their collections that are sold in the most prestigious shopping streets throughout the world."